Valve assembly



Sept. 25, 1945. BENZ 2,385,489

VALVE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1957 FIG. 3

27 INVENTOR.

GEORGE R. BENZ h mivg/wllmvfi,

ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 25, 1945.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 1 7,! V I m 1 H; w & $14 M w w w w FIG. 4

INVENTOR. 5 'GEORGE R. BENZ fiMmC'M-u MMSIW ATTORNEYS.

sels of any typ -to control the dispensing of fluids therefrom,

Patented Sept. 25, 1945 VALVE ASSEMBLY George R. Benz, Detroit, Mich assignmto Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1937, Serial No. 151,016 Claims. (Cl. 277-65) This invention relates to an improved valve assembly, and more in particular to an improved valve assembly adapted to control the dispensing of fluids, liquids, gases and vapors from containers or vessels of various types, and also adapted for use in filling containers or the like with such fluids.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved valve assembly for containers or vessize or construction adapted and particularly fluids underv pressure, and further adapted for filling containers or the like with such fluids.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a valve assembly as above recited having a main dispensing valv and a secondary dispensing valve, and a safety or relief valve and a check valve, and means to protect or guard said valve assembly.

It is to be understood that the improved valve assembly constituting this invention is not to be limited for use with any particular type of vessel or for use with any specific fluid, gas, vapor f or liquid, but instead the improved valve assembly hereafter to be described is to be limited in spirit, scope and application solely by the appended claims.

However, for the purpose of describing and illustrating the applications of this invention the valve assembly forming the same will be described in conjunction with a container, of any suitabl size and type, which is particularly adapted for containing a fluid under pressure such as liquefied petroleum gas of the type commonly utilized as fuel for industrial and domestic purposes, and which type of fuel in recent years has enjoyed increased approval, acceptance and application for use in the various industries, in rural communities, and due to the compact nature of the apparatus needed for the storage and dispensing thereof, is now meeting with acceptance for use on railroads, boats and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the improved valv assembly will be appreciated from a consideration of the following detail specification, and the attacheddrawings forming a part thereof, and wherein,

Fig. 1 illustrates the to a container;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a guard ring for said valve assembly;

Fig. 3 is a combination sid and cross-sectional view of the valve assembly wherein the cross-section portion of the view is taken along'the vertivalve assembly connected cal axis of the assembly and shows the main and secondary dispensing valves in seated or closed position;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly illustrated in Fig. 3 and is taken along the line 4-4 of the vertical axis thereof and looking in the direction of the arrows, but with the handle illustrated in Fig. 3 turned to unseat the main dispensing valve; and,

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly taken along the vertical axis thereof, asin Fig. 3, but with the handle turned 90 from that illustrated in Fig. 3 to show the main dispensing valve unseated, and a connection made with the secondary dispensing valve to also unseat the same.

With reference now to Fig. l, therein is illustrated a container, vessel or drum ill of any suitable type, construction or size, but which preferably is adapted to contain a fluid under pressure such as liquefied petroleum gases such as are used for fuel. Welded or otherwise suitably attached to the top of the container H! is a boss II which is screw threaded internally to receive the screw threaded portion 24 formed on the lower end of the valve assembly casing or housing 20. Screw threaded into the portion 24 of the valve housing is one end of a bent tube l2 which is so formed that the ends thereof lie substantially in planes at right angles to each other, and which tube has one end thereof closed and projecting into the container In as shown and formed adjacent the end thereof with a plurality of apertures, such as the one designated by the reference character IS.

The pipe I2 is formed and disposed in the container III as described to facilitate the removal and dispensing of vapors or gases only from the container without the accompanying removal therefrom of liquids, when the container is charged with such a fluid under pressure as liquefled petroleum gases, and when the container and valve assembly are used with such gases the container is positively secured in such a position relative to the horizontal, as that shown in Fig. 1, as to positively assure that vapors or gases will surround the aperture l3 of the tube so that only vapors or gases will pass thereinto. The tube I2 is closed at the end, and provided with the apertures l3, to lessen the possibility of liquids splashing or washing into the tube and being withdrawn in lieu of vapors or gases.

Although it is to be understood that in some instances it may b desirable to dispense liquids from the container l0, and in which case the tube I2 is then straightened out or otherwise modified so that it extends below the surface of the container contents to facilitate in withdrawing and dispensing the same.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 a pipe or conduit 8| of any suitable type may be connected to the valve assembly for conveying the contents of the container ID to the place of their consumption.

Disposed about the valve assembly and securely retained to the top of the container l by any approved or desired means, such as by welding, there is positioned the protecting ring or guard H to shield the valve assembly against injury. The ring H, as shown in Fig. 2, has the lower edge or periphery formed with a cut away portion I5 and the walls thereof are provided with the apertures 6 and H. The cut away portion I5 is provided so as to permit ready access to the valve assembly for the purpose of securing and fastening it into the boss H of the container or removing it therefrom, while one of the apertures l6 and H, such as the one "5 is provided to accommodate the passage of the pipe 8| through the guard ring I4, and the aperture I! is provided to permit ready access to the relief valve, housed in cylinder 29, and to permit free discharge of vapors therefrom through the aperture I! when said valve functions, thereby allowing the vapors to escape more readily than if the same were discharged against the inside wall of the protecting ring.

With reference now to Fig. 3 it will be seen that thevalve assembly includes a housing or casing 20 having formed therein a main vertical passageway 2| and the horizontal passageways 22 and 23 in communication therewith. The lower end 24 of the casing 20 is both exteriorly and interiorly screw threaded for the purpose of securing the assembly into a container and a boss thereof and for the purpose of retaining a tube such as the one |2 in position, respectively as illustrated in Fig. l. The valve assembly is further provided with the nut 25 screw threaded on the lower portion thereof and which is formed with the annular groove 26 in which seats the packing ring 21 by virtue of which nut and packing a tight fluid proof connection is made between the valve assembly and the container with which it is used, as is illustrated in Fig. 1.

The valve assembly includes a main safety relief valve which is secured to the externally screw threaded boss 28 formed on one side of the valve casing 20 and in which is formed the horizontal port 23 and to which boss is screw fitted one end of the cylinder 29 formed with the port 30 in communication with said last port, and further formed with the valve seat portion 3| adapted to normally seat against a valve disc 32 retained by the nut 33 to the valve plug 34 which is slidable within the cylinder 29. The other end of the cylinder 29 is closed by the screw plug 35 formed with a plurality of apertures 36 and the guide 31 to accommodate one end of the spring 38, the'other end of which rests within the guide 39 of the valve plug 34. Thus the spring 38 serves to normally retain the safety relief valve disc 32 more fully explained Within the vertical passageway 2| of the valve passageway 2|. One end of a coil spring 45 fits over the cylindrical head 42 and rests against the upper surface of the slug 4| while the other passage therethrough.

In the event any undue increase in flow upwardly through the passageway 2| occurs which The restriction M is provided on the upper side thereof with a valve seat 46 against which is adapted to rest the valve disc 41 retained by the is upon the seat 46 as illustrated in Fig. 3 the port 43 is securely closed against passage therethrough. The valve seat formed of thin metal or other suitable material, is mounted upon a shoulder 5| of the valve body 49 and secured in place by the nut 52, as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4 the valve disc 4! is illustrated unseated from the valve seat 46 leaving port 43 on the interior of the valve casing top.

Screw fitted into the bonnet nut in Figs. 4 and 5, in which seats the head 62 formed on the neck 63 of the valve body 49.

Thus it will be seen that by rotating the handle 53 the stem 56 will rotate within the nut 54 and point 19 to prevent tue of the connection between the head 83 thereof and the slot 8| formed in the disc 68 of the stem instancepin Fig. the handle 59 has been the stem 66 intothe gland the valve body 49 down- For turned so as to screw 54 and thereby force wardly, as has been described, until the valve disc" 41 is forced to rest upon the valve seat 46 thereby sealing port 43,,whereas in and into port 22, which last mentioned port is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5.

The diaphragm 58 is provided and securely retained on the shoulder 55 by the gland nut 54 as describedto prevent the escape of fluid through port 43 in any direction other than through the port 22. -That is to say, the diaphragm seals the upper end of the valve casing against fluid passing upwardly through port 43 and into the top' of the valve casing and past the bonnet nut 54.

Screw fitted into the side of the valve casing 28, and opposite the port 22 formed therein, there is provided a cylindrical fitting 64, retained in positionwith respect to said valve casing by the screw 66, in which is disposed a secondary dispensing and filling valve, and which is formed with port 66 in a restriction 61 thereof. and having a valve seat 68. A poly-sided slidable valve plug 69 is disposed within said cylindrical fitting 64 and is provided with a valve disc 18 retained in recessed place by the screw 1| provided with the head 12. One end of a coil spring 13 seats adjacent the port 22 and the other end seats in the valve guide 14 formed in the valve body 69 and serves to normally retain the disc 18 in contact with the seat 68 and thus keep port 66 closed.

The cylindrical fitting 64 is open at one end, and is internally screw threaded as designated by the reference numeral 15 into which threads fits a screw threaded stopper 16 provided with a ring 11 about the neck thereof which is connected to a chain 18 secured to the valve casing 28 at the the misplacement of the stopper when the same is removed as shown in Fi 5.

When the valve assembly is connected to a con-- tainer and the contents thereof, such as liquefied petroleum gases, are not being dispensed, but instead the container is merely being stored or transported, then it will be advisable to position the stopper 16 as illustrated in Fig. 3, for in such position the stopper guards and prevents the opening of the valve controllin port 66. However when it is desired to open port 66 and dispense the contents from the container the stopper 16 is removed and a screw threaded coupling 88, as illustrated in Fig. and which may be connected to any suitable pipe or tubing 81, provided with a conical shaped head 82 is screwed into the cylindrical fitting 64 until the head 82 thereof contacts the recessed head 12 formed on the screw 1| and by further inserting the coupling 88 and the head 82 thereof into the cylindrical fitting the disc 18 is forced off of the seat 68 thereby opening the port 66 and permitting fiow of fluid from the container through the tube l2, passageway 2|, port 43, port 22 and port 66 and so through the coupling 88 and into the pipe 8! and Fig. 4 the handle 58 has been turned 90 to the left, from that shown thence to any desired place for the consumptio of the container contents.

Thus it will be seen that when the valve assembly above described is used in conjunction with a container of a fiuidunder pressure, such as liquefied petroleum gases, and the fluid is not desired to be withdrawn therefrom, then the stopper 16will be inserted in the cylindrical fitting 64 to guard the secondary dispensing and filling valve disposed therein, which will be closed by virtue of the spring 13 forcing the disc 18 against the seat to seal port 68, and under such conditions the handle as to cause the valve body 49 toretain the disc 41 in contactwith the seat" to seal port 43 of the main dispensing and filling valve, and at the same time the main relief valve will be closed by virtue of spring 38 forcing the disc '32 against seat 3| to seal port 38. 1

With the various parts'of the valve assembly in the positions above described, there will be no escape of fiuid therethrough or thereflom.

However when it is desired to withdraw a fluid, such as one under pressure, from the container the stopper 16 is first removed and the coupling 88 inserted in the cylindrical fitting 64 to open the secondary dispensing and filling port 66 as has been described. However even when port 66 is opened there will be no escape of fluid into pipe 8| as port 43 is still closed by the disc 41, so after a satisfactory connection has been made between the cylindrical fitting 64 and the coupling 88 and so opening port 66, then the handle 59 may be turned in the-proper direction to rotate the valve body 49 raising the same together with the disc 41 and thus unseating it from the main valve seat 46 to open port 43 and render the vapors, gases or liquid within the container l8 free to fiow into the apertures l3 and through tube i2 into passageway 21 and through ports 43, 22 and 66 into the pipe 81 from whence they are conveyed by any suitable conduit to their place of consumption.

When the stopper 16 is in place or when such removal of the contents of the container 18, which are assumed to be under pressure, is accomplished as described under normal conditions, the port 38 will be closed, but if from any cause the pressure within the container l8, or the tube I2 and the passageway 2| immediately connecting therewith, increases above normal or materially above normal to the point where an explosion or other dangerous conditions may be imminent, then such danger will be alleviated as the abnormal pressure will overcome the force of spring 39 and act to unseat the disc 32 from the seat 31 and so open port 38 and allow the fiuid in passageway 2| under abnormal pressure to escape through the ports 36. When the danger from abnormal pressure no longer exists, due to the escape of fluid through ports 36, the spring 38 will reseat the disc 32 upon the valve seat 3| and so close the port 38 against further escape of fiuid.

And if, while the coupling 88 is connected to the cylindrical fitting 64 to withdraw fiuld through the conduit 8i, any disruption of conduit 8| occurs which would increase the fiow therethrough above normal together with an increase of fluid fiow above normal through passageway 2|, or if such abnormal fiuid fiow in passageway 2| is caused for any reason, then the same by virtue of its increased pressure differential will overcome the force of spring 46 and force the slug 4i upwardly until the head 42 thereof seats in the port 43 and closes the 69 will be so turned same against fluid flow therethrough and the the passageway between the port and the valve, resultant loss of the fluid. And when said aband a support for the excess flow valve, accesnormal conditions cease the spring 45 will force sible through the port.

the slug'll downwardly into its normal position 3. An improved valve assembly for controll- 5 ing fluid flow, comprising a valve casing having When it is desired to fill thecontainer M the a main passageway adapted to communicate at stopper 16 is removed and any suitable cOnnecone end with the interior of the container, the

in the fitting 04' and with-the port ll retained with the consumers service line, a valve-seat in unsealed the container can conveniently be filled. the passageway intermediate the ends, an excess The guard ring ll when secured to the container I! as illustrated in Fig. 1 serves to prothe valve seat, a control valve in said passagetect the valve assembly and yet does not hinder way for closing the same, and a pressure relief the use thereof or access thereto, for it will be valve located in said passageway at a point henoted that the conduit 8| and coupling 80 are tween the control valve and the tank.

readily passable through the aperture IQ for 4.'An improved valve assembly for controllconnection with the fitting 84. And by virtue ing fluid flow, comprising a valve casing having of the'cut away portion ii of the ring ll access is a main passageway adapted to communicate at larly to the nut thereof for the purpose of 2 opposite end of said passageway communicating lief valve is open.

I claim: the same, and a pressure relief valve located in 1. An improved valve assembly for controllsaid passageway at a point between the control ing fluid flow, comprising a passageway adapted valve and the tank. to communicate at one end with the interior of so 5. An improved valve assembly for controlla container, a control valve at the other end of the passageway for closing the same, a pressure a main passageway adapted to communicate at relief valve communicatingwith the passageway one end with the interior of the container, the at a point intermediate said ends and an excess Oppos te d o Sa passageway communicating flow valve i th passageway b t said com with the consumers service line, a. control valve trol valve and said Point.

2. An improved valve assembly for controllsure relief valve at d n sa d passa eway at ing fluid flow, comprising a valve casing having a point between the control valve and the tank,

with a container, a valve for closing the other 40 stream Side Of the P u e ef Valve. end 01' the passageway, a port in the passageway GEORGE R. BENZ. 

